Story Through Dance - April Vacation Week

Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to attend an April vacation workshop combing music, dance and creative writing in a program called Story Through Dance.

Creative writing instructor Rhonda Hamer will work with the children to write the story their way. The workshop will use familiar stories such as "The Three Little Pigs" as stepping off points for the children to re-tell stories their way through group writing.

Dance instructor/choreographer Renée Carleen will lead the children in creative movement and dance using music of various styles, some written expressly for the stories, as a basis for learning creative movement and dance and re-telling stories using more than words.

The two will work together with the children to present an original story, told through dance and music, at the end of the two-day workshop. Children can participate in a unique arts experience that provides an opportunity to express themselves creatively through multiple creative arts - dance, movement, musical expression and writing – giving them a better understanding of how these art forms interact. Parents and community members are welcome to observe the end-of-workshop stories.

The workshop will be held at First Parish Unitarian Church on the Common in Hubbardston, 2 Main Street, on April 21 and 22 from 10 am to 12 noon. Cost is $12 per student. To register, contact Rhonda Hamer at 978-928-1314. For additional information, visit http://www.maplewindarts.blogspot.com/. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Hubbardston Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Renée Carleen is a 15+ yr. member of Dance Teacher's Club of Boston and graduate of their Teacher Training Program; former owner of Renee's School of Dance, Wilmington; and holds a Certificate of Arts Management, UMass Amherst. Rhonda Hamer has been teaching for 25 years; has led creative writing and literature studies; tutored; has freelance writing, event programming and public relations experience; and holds a BA in English with concentrations in writing, fine arts and religious studies.